Miners trapped a kilometre underground have been listening to an iPod while rescuers try to free them. Australians Brant Webb and Todd Russell, now on their ninth day in a collapsed mine shaft, were handed the music player through a small tunnel. They have also been given food, water, clothes, a digital camera and magazines.

A grinding machine, which is much safer than blasting or drilling, was used to dig 16 metres through solid rock to reach the men. But the 20cm wide pilot hole must be enlarged to one metre before they can crawl out. An iPod Rescuers said the tunnel would probably not be widened enough before the weekend.